jctengles

I was going to go through the clinic in Sartell. But after talking with them again today I decided to go back to my PCP to continue my diet and for all my testing I need done and then to find a surgeon in the cities. The lady told me today that it is a waste of time to schedule with the surgeon if I do not meet their WLS requirements or have the major co-morbities to go with my BMI of 38 . I explained I had been talking to the BCBS access nurse and they told me to start with the surgeon, but this clinic just keeps telling me that it's a waste of time. So I said that I will just go back to my PCP and get a refferral for a different surgeon and she agreed that would be a good idea. I am really frustrated with the clinic here. So now I am up for any suggestions for a great WLS surgeon in the Minneapolis/ north metro area.

welcome, I too am in MN. I have just started jumping through the hoops for insurance. I have already done three of the six month supervised diet with my PCP and then he reffered me to the surgeon for the LB. I attended the seminar, but now having a hard time even getting an initial appt with the surgeon. My BMI is only 38 and with none of the listed co-morbidities ( I am borderline), the insurance staff for the surgeon will not schedule an appt. I am in the process of getting previous medical history of my weight for her to show that my BMI has been over 35 for two years. I have other medical conditions that my PCP and the BCBS nurse said may make me eligible for WLS, but I need to see the surgeon. How can I see the surgeon when the insurance specialist for the clinic will not schedule me? I explained to her that I had called and talked to a nurse at BCBS and explained about my health history and was adivised by BCBS to see the LB surgeon. So this is a real turn around to have to jump through hoops for the surgeon's office, and not the insurance company.

I looked online and Barnes & Noble is out of copies, and there is only 1 used one listed listed in good condition. I could not find anything called getting to goal. Is there a website for your Dr. to see if these books could be purchased through it? Thanks

I am a strong believer of of counseling and would not give up my lexapro until the Lord heals the depression. Yes, I think anytime you take meds long term a person should be in counseling. Praise God for His healing in His time. Thank God He has provided the meds to help us until His healing comes.

I have been on psych meds off and on since I was a teen, been on more than I can count on fingers. About 4 years ago I started Effexor XR with no weight gain but when I started Seroquel I gained 30 lbs in 3 months. Nothing had changed in my exercise or eating habits so not sure why I gained. After 4th month on Seroquel I tried a new set of meds that had helped me lose in past, but did not work and had to back on Effexor/ Seroquel and just watched my weight increasing. After being off meds for 10 months for pregnancy, I had a hard time finding a right combo. Dr would not do seroquel again because of worry of more weight gain ( I was already too heavy and having back problems). Now I am on Lamictal/Pristiq and am doing okay with it. My PCP does not think that my meds have anything to do with my current weight gain. He also feels that if I lose weight will help with depression. Any thoughts on all this?

So after three months of Phentermine and increased side affects with weight gain my PCP has now referred me to the surgeon for WLS. I called my insurance and with regards to the usual 6 month pre-diet, I have already done three months with my PCP no results, the insurance said that the surgeon can put in pre-authorization with his request to bypass the 6 month pre-diet. I really have no idea what will happen since I have not even seen the surgeon yet, but I hope that I can get banded shortly after the first of the year or better yet right before the first of the year. My question to all is how long did it take from date with surgeon till the date of surgery?

so I am so hopefull that I will be able to get banded in the next six months. My BMI is only 38, but my family Dr thinks I will qualify due to having back surgery this past July, enlarged thyroid, depression, and degenerative arthritis in my back. I have been on Phentermine for two full months at 15mg and have gained weight, so I have been increased to 30mg for two more months then on to the surgery consult. I have been working with a nutritionist and also see a therapist. Any feedback will be so awesome. Also anyone have MN State Medical insurance BCBS/Blue Plus? After reading some pre-surgical posts that I should call my insurance. So I will do that soon.